Why Offer Financing Solutions When Equine Vet Clients Have Credit Cards?

View the original article titled, “My clients already have credit cards. Why should I bother with a financing solution?” published in a supplement of the December 2024 issue of The Modern Equine Vet.

It’s a logical question. In fact, it’s one we at CareCredit get from healthcare providers of all kinds. “Why do I need to offer another payment option if I already accept general-purpose credit cards?” The answer can be summed up simply: Budget-friendly financing options help clients access the care their horses need in a timely way. Let’s take a closer look.

Consumers Want Flexibility

At CareCredit, we’ve been studying financing and payment trends for decades, and we know what consumers want:

• Payment options. More than half (59%) of veterinary clients say it’s important that their pet care provider offer a variety of payment options.¹
• Immediate care. Forty-five percent of non-cardholder veterinary consumers said they would consider a financing option if it meant they could receive medical treatment right away.¹

What this boils down to is flexibility. Like other consumers, horse owners want the ability to choose from among a range of payment options in a way that fits their budget. And providing them with that flexibility helps support a positive financial experience when they seek care through your practice.

Payment Options Create Healthy Financial Relationships

Empowering horse owners with payment options fosters a partnership that prioritizes the health and well-being of the horse. In fact, consider taking a proactive approach — such as discussing payment options as a regular part of your client communications. This proactive approach can help prevent surprises, reduce stress and encourage more clients to be financially prepared. It can also help build stronger relationships built on financial transparency and trust.

Financing Can Help You Provide Optimum Patient Care

A common misperception is that financing is just for emergencies or major expenses. The reality is that it can be — and is — used for routine care, medications, supplements, dentistry and much more. In fact, a recent study of CareCredit customers showed the following:¹

• 85% use financing for all types of veterinary care, from routine to unexpected.
• 88% say veterinary care financing is a tool that helps them be prepared.

In short, empowering horse owners with a flexible, budget-friendly way to pay for veterinary care helps provide them with peace of mind. That means, together, you can both focus on what’s most important: the health of the horses in your care. And isn’t that what’s at the heart of it all?

A Flexible Financing Solution for Your Equine Veterinary Practice

Looking for a way to give your clients a flexible way to pay for care throughout their horse's lifetime? Consider offering the CareCredit credit card as a financing solution. CareCredit allows horse owners to pay for equine veterinary services over time while helping to enhance the payments process for your practice.

When you accept CareCredit, clients can see if they prequalify with no impact to their credit score, and those who apply, if approved, can take advantage of special financing on qualifying purchases.* Additionally, you will be paid directly within two business days.

Learn more about the CareCredit credit card as a veterinary financing solution or start the provider enrollment process by filling out this form.

Author Bio

Boo Larsen is senior vice president, general manager of Veterinary and Pet Care, Synchrony.

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The CareCredit health and wellness credit card helps improve the payment experience for patients and clients, and your financial performance.

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